Faces of the French-Speaking World: An Immersive Inside Out Exhibition at L’Alliance New York.

“Faces of the French-Speaking World” is a global Inside Out Action that will feature portraits of Alliance Française communities across five continents. Over ten Alliances are leading their own Inside Out Actions, from Mongolia to Bolivia. Together, these installations will create a network of mosaics celebrating the people who make up this global, multifaceted community.

Woman listening to an interview between Tatyana Franck and JR, photographed by Leila Abazine, June 2024.

To celebrate this artistic initiative, l’Alliance New York organized the very first exhibition that explores the reach of Inside Out since its inception. The exhibition is free and open to all. It is on view from July 3rd until August 1st, 2024 in the exhibition space of L’Alliance located at 22 E 60th St #1077 in Manhattan.

The space allows visitors to get a taste of all the aspects that make up an Inside Out Action and be inspired by the hundreds of installations individuals and communities have created. One wall features an enormous map that shows the 152 countries and territories the Project has visited and displays photographs of Actions from around the world. The exhibition also includes a projection of the documentary Inside Out: The People’s Art Project, which debuted in New York City in 2013 during a Photobooth Action in Times Square. Another wall presents an interview between Tatyana Franck, the President of L’Alliance New York, and JR. 

Two people watching the projection of inside out documentary, photographed by Leila Abazine, June 2024.

Furthermore, the exhibition includes a portrait-taking corner where visitors can take their photo against the iconic Inside Out black polka-dots backdrop and become part of the “Faces of the French-Speaking World” Action. In other areas of the space, pasting materials, such as rolled posters, brushes, buckets, and the JR studio pasting shoes with the characteristic JR eye, bring to life the process of creating an installation. One wall of the exhibition includes a classic Inside Out installation, presenting expressive, black-and-white portraits and giving visibility to the diversity of the Francophone community. 

Visitor taking her portrait, photographed by Leila Abazine, June 2024.

To activate the public, L’Alliance is also hosting a Photobooth Action for Bastille Day on Sunday, July 14th from 12 PM to 5 PM on Madison Avenue, between 59th and 60th Street. Check their website for more information.

The global Action “Faces of the French-Speaking World” will culminate during the Paris Francophonie Festival in October 2024, where a large mosaic with portraits from around the world will adorn the facade of the Fondation des Alliances Française and Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
 

Discover all the Actions that have already taken place, from Canada to Bolivia!
Ulaanbaatar Action
Cochabamba Action
Halifax Action
The Hague Action

Portraits from the exhibition,  photographed by Leila Abazine, June 2024.